Nikon Z7 Field Test Part I: Nikon takes a good first step into the full-frame mirrorless fray
posted Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 3:00 PM EDT
Click here to read my Nikon Z7 Field Test Part I
After many teasers and hints, Nikon finally took the wraps off their brand-new full-frame mirrorless camera system back in August. The announcement comprised of two cameras with identical bodies, the Z7 and the Z6, alongside a handful of native lenses. The Nikon Z7 is the first to release, having hit store shelves a couple of weeks ago, and I have been testing it here in Maine. The autumn colors are bright, and the camera's 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor has thus far done an excellent job capturing the fine details of the New England landscape.
At first glance, the Nikon Z7 may look similar to some other Nikon cameras with respect to its red accent, grip shape and button layout, but it's considerably more compact and lighter than a Nikon D850, a camera which also offers a full-frame sensor with 45.7 megapixels. The Z7, being a mirrorless camera, employs an electronic viewfinder. The EVF is big, bright and sharp and is enjoyable to use. Similarly, the camera body itself is a pleasure to work with because, despite its small size, it doesn't skimp on physical controls and feels a lot like a professional Nikon DSLR. There are some compromises, of course, but generally, it feels great in the hand and is easy to use.
Regarding image quality, there's a lot to like. The Z7 delivers sharp images across much of its native ISO range. Across the sensor are 493 phase-detect autofocus points, which cover a considerable portion of the overall image area. In practice, the autofocus system works well, although it isn't perfect and can struggle at times in lower light. The Z7 includes an EXPEED 6 image processor, which allows for continuous shooting speeds up to 9 frames per second, albeit with 12-bit instead of 14-bit raw files. As you may have heard, the camera has only a single XQD card slot as well, which is sure to upset some photographers. You can read about all this and more in my Nikon Z7 Field Test Part I.
Be sure to stay tuned to Imaging Resource in the coming weeks for my Nikon Z7 Field Test Part II, which will discuss raw file flexibility, shooting with the new 24-70mm f/4 S kit lens, adapting existing Nikon lenses and much more.